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PWS Planning and Evaluation

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

1

EVALUATION REPORT JULY 2016

Endangered Pedder galaxias fish

Feedback and Enquiries

Feedback or enquiries in relation to this report should be addressed to:

Email: [email protected]

Postal address:

Planning and Evaluation Unit

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

GPO Box 1751

Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia

Recommended citation

Parks and Wildlife Service, 2016 Evaluation Report: Endangered Pedder galaxias fish. July 2016, Department of

Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Hobart Tasmania.

ISBN: 978-0-9925962-9-3

Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service


GPO Box 1751

Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia

© State of Tasmania 2016

Monitoring and Reporting System for Tasmania’s National Parks and Reserves

This report is a product of the Tasmanian Government’s management effectiveness Monitoring and Reporting System for national parks and reserves. An important component of the system is evaluated case study reports

on the monitored effectiveness of significant and selected projects/programs in achieving their objectives. For

information on Tasmania’s Monitoring and Reporting System see this report and the Parks and Wildlife Service

website at www.parks.tas.gov.au/monitoring.

MONITORING AND REPORTING SYSTEM FOR TASMANIA’S NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES

EVALUATED CASE STUDY REPORT

PERFORMANCE ARENA: 2. CONDITION OF RESERVES AND RESERVE VALUES

Key Performance Area: 2.4 Condition of ecosystems and natural diversity

Date last updated 29 June 2016

Date first approved 16 September 2013. See also State of the TWWHA Report No. 1 2004: 154-156

Prepared by Rob Freeman (IFS Project Manager) and Michael Driessen (NCH Senior Zoologist) with Glenys

Jones (PWS Coordinator, Evaluation)

Cleared by Glenys Jones (PWS Coordinator, Evaluation)

Approved for publication by

John Diggle (Director of Inland Fisheries); Louise Wilson (NCH General Manager) through Peter

Voller (NCH Manager, Natural Values Conservation); and Andrew Roberts (PWS A/General Manager)

Cover photo (main image): The endangered freshwater fish Galaxias pedderensis occurs only in Tasmania.

Photo: IFS

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=31865

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/monitoring

www.parks.tas.gov.au/monitoring

Evaluation report

Endangered Pedder galaxias fish

This report examines the performance of management in relation to an attempt to

establish self-maintaining populations of the endangered Pedder galaxias fish in water

bodies outside the species’ original natural habitat of Lake Pedder, which was

permanently altered following construction of the Gordon Power Scheme and

subsequent invasion of the waterbody by trout and another species of galaxiid. The

evaluation concludes that the program has been highly successful. Populations of

Pedder galaxias are now firmly established in the ex-situ sites of Lake Oberon and

the Strathgordon water supply dam. Monitoring has provided clear evidence that the

populations at both sites are breeding well, while the abundance and mixed age-

classes of the fish indicate that the populations are self-maintaining. This program has

almost certainly saved the Pedder galaxias fish from extinction, and has dramatically

increased the likelihood that this species will continue to survive and persist in the

Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area into the future. Note however that

because the species now only survives outside its original natural habitat, it is

officially recognised as being ‘extinct in the wild’.

Introduction

About the threat or issue

The Pedder galaxias fish (Galaxias pedderensis) is endemic to Tasmania and naturally occurred only in

the original (pre-dam) Lake Pedder and its inflowing streams. After dam construction and inundation

of Lake Pedder in 1972-74 for the Gordon Power Scheme, the Pedder galaxias was known to be

present in large numbers in the impoundment and some tributaries between 1975 and 1980.

However the species then rapidly declined and could no longer be found in the impoundment after

the mid 1980’s or in its tributaries after 1996.

The exact cause of the decline of Pedder galaxias is unclear. However major ecological changes

associated with the Gordon Power Scheme have included the loss (through inundation) of the

original lake environment and meandering stream habitat; and the invasion by the exotic predatory

brown trout (Salmo trutta) and the native climbing galaxias species (G. brevipinnis) of the Lake Pedder

impoundment and tributaries.

What natural or cultural values are affected?

The Pedder galaxias is listed as Extinct in the wild under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity

Conservation Act 1999, and as Endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act

1995. Tasmania is a centre of diversity for galaxiid fishes and the present circum-southern

hemisphere distribution of the galaxioid fishes suggests that the ancestors of this group of fishes

were present before the break-up of the Gondwana supercontinent.



EVALUATION REPORT: ENDANGERED PEDDER GALAXIAS FISH

Pedder galaxias (Galaxias pedderensis) is a small freshwater species of fish that occurs only in

Tasmania. A distinguishing feature of all galaxiids is that they only have one dorsal fin whereas

most other types of fish have two dorsal fins, e.g. trout.

Photo: J. Patil

Background to management

The Pedder galaxias is listed on State and Commonwealth threatened species protection legislation.

The Tasmanian Inland Fisheries Act 1995 prohibits the collection of any freshwater fish without a

permit. All fish on reserved land are protected under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act

2002 and cannot be taken without authority under this Act.

The Pedder galaxias has been included in three recovery plans (Gaffney et al. 1992, Crook and

Sanger 1997, and Department of Primary Industries and Water, 2006). Actions in the recovery plans

included capture and transfer of stock to Lake Oberon, monitoring of the Bonnet Bay populations in

Lake Pedder, monitoring of the Lake Oberon population and associated changes in lake fauna,

captive breeding, establishment of a second translocated population in the Strathgordon water

supply dam, and increasing public awareness. For a map of site locations, refer to Figure 1.

A translocated population was successfully established in Lake Oberon following the transfer of a

total of 34 fish to the lake between 1991 and 1997. A second ex-situ habitat for the Pedder galaxias

species was constructed by modification of the Strathgordon water supply dam in 1997. The success

of population expansion in the Lake Oberon population enabled a total of 353 adult fish to be moved

to Strathgordon between 2001 and 2007. Limited success was obtained with captive breeding. For

example, only 11 juveniles were produced from attempts in 1990–91 (Hamr 1992). These juveniles

were included in the fish placed in Lake Oberon. Subsequent attempts to establish a captive breeding

program have also been unsuccessful.

Overall management goal

The overall goal of this program is:

Establishment of self-maintaining ex-situ populations of Pedder galaxias in Lake Oberon and the

Strathgordon water supply dam to ensure the survival and long-term viability of this endangered

fish species.




Management actions and significant events

The Lake Oberon population is monitored every five years to determine numbers and age

structure. The last date of sampling was in 2012, with significant numbers of juvenile and adult

Pedder galaxias present.

The Strathgordon population is monitored annually. Pedder galaxias are now successfully

breeding in the water supply dam, with multiple age-class cohorts detected during monitoring

since 2008.

In 2010 two climbing galaxias were caught in the Strathgordon dam. Hydro Tasmania upgraded

the screens on the outflow of the dam to prevent entry by the climbing galaxias. One climbing

galaxias was caught in 2011 and none in the period 2012–2016.

Lake levels are managed by Hydro Tasmania to reduce the risk of the introduced species redfin

perch invading Lake Pedder via the canal connecting it to Lake Gordon (McPartlan canal).

Figure 1. Location map showing Lake Pedder (the original lake and new impoundment), Lake

Oberon and Strathgordon water supply dam. As part of recovery efforts to save the endangered

Pedder galaxias species from extinction, fish were successfully translocated from their original habitat to

new ‘ex-situ’ sites, initially to Lake Oberon and subsequently to the Strathgordon water supply dam.




Monitored results for performance indicators

Table 1. Performance indicators and results

Performance Indicators Targets and/or Monitored Results

(and how they are monitored) Limits (detected over the management period)

(and how performance

is assessed)

PRESSURE INDICATORS1

1. Presence of other fish species in translocated populations of Pedder galaxias

CONDITION INDICATORS2

2. Distribution and abundance of Pedder galaxias

OTHER INDICATORS (e.g. social or economic)

1 Pressure indicators’ relate to activities, processes and/or agents that are considered to pose a threat of degradation to reserves or reserve values (either directly or indirectly).

2 ‘Condition indicators’ relate to the condition of reserves or reserve values (e.g. natural or cultural resource assets and features).




Supporting evidence

Population characteristics

Figure 2 below shows the length frequencies for those Pedder galaxias captured during monitoring at

Lake Oberon in March 2012 (n =184). This population displays multiple cohorts with fish present in

the range 30–118mm length, including a significant young of the year cohort 30–45mm length class.

Figure 2: Length frequency for Pedder galaxias, Lake Oberon - March 2012

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Count

0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135

Length

Figure 3 below shows the length frequencies for those Pedder galaxias captured and measured

during monitoring at the Strathgordon water supply dam in March 2016 (n=111). This population

displays multiple cohorts with fish present in the range 39–122mm length, including a significant

young of the year cohort 35–55mm length class.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Count

0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135

Length (mm)

Figure 3: Length frequency for Pedder galaxias, Strathgordon - March 2016




Figure 4 below shows the increase in the catch per unit effort (CPUE) for Pedder galaxias during

fyke net surveys undertaken at the Strathgordon water supply dam 2007 to 2016. A marked increase

in CPUE occurred between 2007 and 2009 with the installation of suitable spawning habitat in late

2007, resulting in an increase in young of the year fish as detected during 2008 monitoring. A highly

significant increase in CPUE also occurred between the 2012 and 2016 monitoring periods,

highlighting a large and sustained increase in total population abundance.

Figure 4: Catch per unit effort for Pedder galaxias from fyke netting surveys, Strathgordon 2007-2016

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

CP

UE

(fis

h / n

et)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Year

On-going monitoring over a number of years at both Lake Oberon and the Strathgordon water

supply dam shows clear evidence that both populations of Pedder galaxias are well established and

self-sustaining. These positive results give hope for the long-term future of the species.

Outcomes

Table 2. Expected and actual outcomes

Expected outcomes Actual outcomes/outputs

A. GOAL AND KEY DESIRED OUTCOMES




Expected outcomes Actual outcomes/outputs

B. OTHER ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES/IMPACTS

C. UNANTICIPATED OUTCOMES AND/OR LEGACY

Assessment and commentary on management performance

Table 3: Assessment of management performance

LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE EFFECTIVENESS EFFICIENCY

To what extent did the project To what extent was the project

achieve its objectives? delivered on time and on budget?

Were resources, including time and

effort, used wisely and without

wastage?

Comments on management performance

Summary statement on performance

This project has been highly successful in meeting its objectives.

If management intervention not been undertaken in the very early stages of this species’ population

demise, the Pedder galaxias species would now almost certainly be extinct. Establishment of the

translocated population within Lake Oberon saved this species from extinction. However, because

the species now only survives outside its original (pre-dam) natural habitat, it is officially recognised

as being ‘extinct in the wild’.

Establishment of the second insurance population of Pedder galaxias in the Strathgordon water

supply dam has increased the probability of ensuring the long term viability of this species.




Key factors contributing positively to management performance

Commitment from the Inland Fisheries Service and their collaborators, Hydro Tasmania and

DPIPWE, to implementing the species recovery program.

The use of an adaptive management approach, led by a professional and informed recovery team,

was a major contributing factor to the success of this project.

Key factors limiting or threatening management performance

Re-establishment of Pedder galaxias in the present Lake Pedder is very unlikely to be possible

given that the factors that led to the species’ extinction from the lake cannot be reversed or

mitigated. Even in the event that attempts were made to restore the original Lake Pedder, it is

considered highly unlikely that trout or climbing galaxias could be completely removed.

Limited number of acceptably suitable new habitat locations for successful translocation of

Pedder galaxias.

Difficulty of maintaining Pedder galaxias in captivity.

Suggestions for improving management performance

Establish a third translocation site for Pedder galaxias—with preference being for a site located

outside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in order to protect the remaining

pristine lakes within the TWWHA from human intervention.

Lessons learnt and/or additional comments

Careful, considered and timely use of translocation as a management tool for conservation

purposes can achieve significant positive outcomes for critically endangered species.

Implementing a single-species recovery plan can sometimes prove more operationally tractable

and deliver clearer outcomes than taking a multispecies approach (Chilcott et al, 2013).

To understand the impacts of projects that have the potential to alter natural freshwater

ecosystems, there is a need to closely monitor native fish populations pre- and post- the project

construction phase.

Building knowledge and understanding of the ecology and reproductive biology of all endemic

Tasmanian galaxiids is important to help guide informed decision-making so as to avert serious

impacts on native fish species in future.

The outstanding results demonstrated by this project are a testament to what can be achieved

when cross-agency teams collaborate in undertaking good research, which in turn informs

evidence-based adaptive management responses, with the results and lessons captured and

shared through an active monitoring, evaluation and reporting program.

Investment in this project

Funding to implement the Pedder galaxias species recovery plan has mostly been provided through

Australian Government programs including the Endangered Species Program and the Tasmanian

Wilderness World Heritage Area baseline funding program. The Inland Fisheries Service has been a

major contributor to this conservation project since 2009. Resources have included the provision of

a Project Manager and supporting staff, and general on-going project costs of approximately $30,000

per annum. Hydro Tasmania assists in maintaining the Strathgordon water supply dam asset with an

estimated annual expenditure of $8,000 directly relating to the project. DPIPWE’s TWWHA Fauna program provided funding for research, planning, translocations of Pedder galaxias, and fish surveys

in the early years of this program.




Sources and acknowledgements

Project Manager/ Responsible Officer

Name: Rob Freeman

Position title/section: Senior Fisheries Management Officer, Inland Fisheries Service

Email address: [email protected]

Rob Freeman has been involved in the conservation efforts for the

Pedder galaxias over more than 20 years, and as Native Fish

Conservation Project Officer with the Inland Fisheries Service for the

last 8 years.

Photo: Inland Fisheries Service

Acknowledgements

Many people and organisations have contributed to the success of this project. The Project Manager

wishes to acknowledge the numerous people who helped with obtaining funding, serving on

recovery teams and conducting field operations. Special appreciation is extended to funding agencies

and other contributing organisations who provided support during various stages of the project

including: Commonwealth Government, Inland Fisheries Service, Australian Geographic, Hydro

Tasmania; and following persons: Premek Hamr, Jean Jackson, Stuart Chilcott, Brett Mawbey,

Andrew Sanger, Peter Davies, Wayne Fulton, David Crook, Sally Bryant, Paul Humphries, David

Jarvis, Michael Driessen, Phil Bell, Steven Smith, Andrew Scanlon, and David Rounsevell, and the

numerous support staff who worked diligently under difficult conditions in the Lake Pedder scrub to

ensure the long-term viability of the Pedder galaxias.

Glenys Jones (PWS Planning and Evaluation) coordinated and guided preparation of this report.

Dixie Makro (PWS Interpretation Officer – Publications) assisted with graphic design.

References and further information

For more information, click on the links below for more information on the following topics from

the DPIPWE website:

Threatened Species Strategy for Tasmania

Threatened Species of Tasmania booklet

Threatened Tasmanian Galaxiidae Recovery Plan 2006-2010

Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting for Tasmania’s national parks and

reserves



mailto:[email protected]

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/threatspstrat.pdf

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/TSbooklet.pdf

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Accepted-Galaxiid-RP.pdf

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=391




References

Crook, D.A. and Sanger, A.C. (1997) Recovery plan for the Pedder, Swan, Clarence swamp and saddled

galaxias. Inland Fisheries Commission, Hobart, Tasmania Australia. pp. 38.

Gaffney, R. F., Hamr, P. and Davies, P. E. (1992) The Pedder galaxias recovery plan: Management Phase.

Department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Chilcott, S, Freeman, R, Davies, P, Crook, D.A, Fulton, W Hamr, P, Jarvis, D and Sanger, A.C. (2013) Extinct

habitat, extant species: lessons learned from conservation recovery actions for the Pedder galaxias

(Galaxias pedderensis) in south-west Tasmania, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 64, 864-873.

Department of Primary Industries and Water (2006) Recovery Plan: Tasmania Galaxiidae 2006-10. DPIW

Threatened Species Section, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. pp. 84.




Photo gallery

Lake Oberon in the highlands of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is one of two sites where new populations of the endangered Pedder galaxias fish species have been successfully introduced and established.

Features that made this lake potentially suitable as habitat for Pedder galaxias included: the lake was largely

undisturbed by human influence and had good clean water with similar characteristics to the original habitat of the

species; there were no other species of fish present in the lake; the lake supported a suitable food source of

invertebrates; the geographic isolation of the lake meant it was unlikely that other fish species would be able to

migrate into the lake.

Photo: IFS

Pedder galaxias are small fish and adults grow to a maximum length of about 100mm. They have

marbled markings and an iridescent golden colour, often displayed especially on the head. Pedder

galaxias eat aquatic invertebrates such as the larvae of stone flies and caddis flies.

Photo: IFS




Project Officer Rob Freeman undertaking electro-fishing to detect the presence of fish. Electro-

fishing only temporarily stuns the fish so they can be returned unharmed following monitoring.

Photo: IFS

A set Fyke net at Lake Oberon

Photo: IFS




Dr Premek Hamr returns 25 years after his initial and critically important

conservation efforts that helped save the Pedder galaxias species.

Photo: IFS

This sample of Pedder galaxias shows there are many fish of different sizes present.

Populations of mixed age groups indicate that the population is successfully breeding with

juveniles being recruited into the population

Photo: IFS




Night snorkelling surveys were another technique used to detect the

presence and abundance of Pedder galaxias in Lake Oberon following their

introduction.

Photo: IFS

Strathgordon water supply dam was the second ‘ex-situ’ site where a Pedder galaxias population

was successfully established.

Photo: IFS




Installing rock debris at Strathgordon water supply dam to provide suitable habitat for spawning.

Monitoring detected a marked increase in the number of fish in the following year.

Photo: IFS

